Rather than responding positively to their narrow defeat against Manchester City last week, Tottenham Hotspur endured yet another disappointing evening in Europe, falling to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie. Instead of showing the urgency expected from a team looking to make a deep run in the competition, Ange Postecoglou’s men delivered a lackadaisical performance that felt more like a pre-season friendly than a crucial knockout match.
While a one-goal deficit isn’t the worst outcome, the manner of the defeat was concerning. Spurs managed to turn what should have been a manageable draw into an uphill battle, struggling against a side they were expected to beat. Sloppy mistakes, a lack of intensity, and poor decision-making plagued their display, leaving them fortunate to escape with only a slim margin to overturn in the second leg.
Several players underperformed on the night, but two of the most disappointing displays came from seasoned internationals—Son Heung-min and Rodrigo Bentancur. With a critical Premier League clash against Bournemouth coming up on Sunday, Postecoglou must consider dropping both players to shake things up and send a message to his squad.
Son Heung-min’s Off-Night Against AZ Alkmaar
Despite his reputation as one of Tottenham’s most reliable attackers, Son Heung-min was virtually invisible against Alkmaar. The South Korean forward was restored to the starting lineup, deployed on the left side of a three-man attack alongside Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson. However, he failed to make any meaningful impact throughout the first half, offering little in terms of goal threat or creative play.
Even after a tactical reshuffle in the second half—when Tel was substituted and Son was moved into a central role—his influence on the game remained minimal. His most notable contributions were an ill-advised long-range shot and a poorly executed free-kick routine, neither of which troubled the opposition.
Football.London’s Alasdair Gold summed up his performance with a 3/10 rating, highlighting how ineffective he was throughout his 72 minutes on the pitch. The statistics paint a similarly bleak picture:
Expected goals + assists (xG+xA): 0.33
Shots on target: 0
Passing accuracy: 81%
Touches: 43
Key passes: 1
Duels won: 50%
Times possession lost: 9
For a player of Son’s caliber, such an underwhelming performance is unacceptable. While his quality and leadership are undeniable, his form has dipped at a crucial stage of the season. Postecoglou may need to make a bold decision and leave him out of the starting XI against Bournemouth, allowing fresher, more in-form players to take his place.
Bentancur’s Midfield Struggles Raise Concerns
While Tottenham’s midfield as a whole was underwhelming, Rodrigo Bentancur stood out for all the wrong reasons. The Uruguayan international failed to assert himself in any phase of the game, offering neither attacking creativity nor defensive stability.
Bentancur’s usually composed presence in midfield was nowhere to be seen. He frequently lost possession, struggled to track runners, and ultimately picked up a yellow card—a costly mistake that will see him suspended for the return leg in North London. Given his sluggish display, Postecoglou should also consider benching him for Sunday’s game.
Gold’s assessment was harsh but fair, awarding the former Juventus midfielder a 4/10 rating and stating that he “didn’t offer too much.” Bentancur’s match statistics further emphasize his struggles:
Expected goals + assists (xG+xA): 0.04
Passing accuracy: 86%
Shots on target: 0
Aerial duels won: 0/1
Ground duels won: 4/9
Times possession lost: 15
Fouls committed: 1
Times dribbled past: 1
If Bentancur found it difficult to handle AZ Alkmaar, it’s difficult to imagine him faring much better against Bournemouth, a side that has troubled some of the league’s best teams this season. With fresher midfield options available, Postecoglou should look elsewhere in his squad for a stronger performance.
Time for Postecoglou to Shake Things Up
Tottenham’s performance against Alkmaar wasn’t just disappointing—it was worrying. While the defeat itself is not insurmountable, the lack of urgency and discipline in the squad should be a major concern for Postecoglou as Spurs fight to stay competitive in both Europe and the Premier League.
With a tricky fixture against Bournemouth looming, the Australian manager must make some big calls. Son and Bentancur, both of whom have been key players for Spurs in recent years, are clearly out of form. Dropping them could send a message to the rest of the squad that complacency won’t be tolerated.
Whether Postecoglou takes such drastic measures remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—if Tottenham want to avoid a third consecutive defeat, something has to change.
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